gisw13_chapters

Even when the state has made efforts to strengthenlaws and institutions, implement policies to democratisethe use of the internet and defend againstgender violence, the weaknesses of the responsibleagencies and political conflicts hinder theenforcement of laws in the workplace, and impunityremains the norm.ConclusionsThe use of ICTs in Venezuela has opened a windowon the rights of women and expanded participationin various spheres of society. However, these spacesare also being threatened and used to damagethe integrity of women who hold various social andpolitical positions in the country. Similarly, womenare exposed to employers who unduly violate theprivacy of information, disclose information withoutauthorisation on social networks, and engage inharassment, threats and dismissals.Public policies regarding technology havebeen designed to democratise the use of ICTs andthe internet and develop literacy plans and programmesin the use of software and hardware. Butbeyond that, women have not yet appropriatedtechnologies in a way that is socially meaningfuland relevant. That is why it is important to incorporateICTs into the daily work of women, makingthem a useful tool to improve their quality of lifeand that of their community. Networking and informationdissemination, literacy programmesin the use of content, website management andtraining in collaborative tools (such as blogs,wikis, etc.) are important. Policies that defendagainst gender violence and encourage genderperspectives in the activities of both society andgovernment, among others, are needed to facilitatethe participation of women online.However, to achieve effective actions usingICTs, the government should create mechanisms toenable citizens to access data online as well as accurateand timely information on safety and securitymeasures that have been implemented, records ofdomestic violence cases (reported and managed bythe appropriate authorities), and gender statistics,among others. In this way, citizens, women’s groupsand NGOs can be vigilant in the battle against genderviolence and raise their voices to encourage theresponsible agencies to take action.Action steps• Government measures that are necessary include:a) Implement new policies and establishplans and training programmes in the useof ICT tools and content geared toward women.These should facilitate the appropriation oftechnology, encourage participation and defendthe rights of women; b) Evaluate and improvethe administrative procedures used byagencies such as INPSASEL and prosecutorsin the prosecution of allegations of domesticviolence in the interest of making these processesmore efficient; c) Take appropriate measuresin relation to cases of violations of thelaw that emerged in 2004 and 2013; d) Designand implement training plans for employeesand officials of the justice system, where theylearn about existing laws on violence againstwomen, gender issues and psychological andsocial aspects that influence the problem ofgender violence; e) Allocate sufficient budgetsfor the proper functioning of government institutionsand NGOs working to support victimsof violence, and f ) Reform and improve legislativeinstruments to ensure greater safety andsecurity for women.Citizens, civil society groups and NGOs need to: a)Join forces to raise complaints of gender violationsbefore the competent national and internationalcourts, and push for sanctions against those responsible;b) Require public bodies to be accountable toplans and policies for preventing and dealing withcases of violence against women; c) Demand thatthe government create online mechanisms for thepromotion and dissemination of plans and programmesfor the safety and protection of women. ■240 / Global Information Society Watch